Opposition Insight: Colchester United

What kind of a transfer window have Colchester had so far?

Colchester have brought in seven new first-team signings, this summer. They are Jevani Brown from Cambridge United, Paris Cowan-Hall from Wycombe Wanderers, Luke Gambin from Luton Town, Omar Sowunmi from Yeovil Town, Michael Fernandes from Farnborough, Cohen Bramall from Arsenal and goalkeeper Dean Gerken from Ipswich Town.

Plenty of players have also departed from the U’s, over recent months.

Highly-rated academy duo Sammie Szmodics and Frankie Kent have left for Bristol City and Peterborough United respectively, goalkeeper Dillon Barnes has joined QPR, Mikael Mandron has gone to Gillingham, Rene Gilmartin has left for Bristol City, winger Brennan Dickenson has gone to MK Dons, Todd Miller has left for Brighton and Hove Albion and Ryan Gondoh has departed on a free transfer.

Last season Colchester just missed out on the top seven, is a play-off finish the aim this season?

I think everyone will be striving for a play-off place at the very least, this season. Colchester came agonisingly close to clinching a top-seven spot last season, missing out by just one point in the end.

I think the main aim will be promotion and if that cannot be achieved automatically, then doing it via the play-offs will be the next best thing.

Who will be a 'one to watch' for the clash?

Jevani Brown could well be a big danger man for Colchester, on Tuesday. He has come to Colchester with a decent reputation and will be looking to make an impact, having not scored in his opening two games for the club.

What has been the attitude towards the League cup in recent seasons for the U's? 

Colchester’s record in the League Cup has been very poor, over recent seasons. They have not won a game in the competition since 2010 and have gone out in the first round in each of the last eight seasons, albeit more often than not to higher-placed opposition.

Needless to say, they would love a decent run in this season’s competition.

Luke Norris swapped Swindon for Colchester in the summer of 2018, has he impressed since arriving?

Norris made a fantastic start to his Colchester career last season, scoring seven goals in his opening nine games for the club. However, an ankle injury – ironically against former club Swindon Town, last November stalled his progress and he failed to score in his final 23 appearances of the campaign.

He has come back this season looking sharp though and after a productive pre-season, scored on the opening day against Port Vale.

What can we expect from this Colchester side and what is different from the side that missed out on the play-offs last season?

John McGreal’s Colchester side are always good to watch and like to play attractive, entertaining football. They have lacked a bit of an attacking edge in their first two games of the new campaign but are showing signs that they can once again be a strong force in the division.

There have been plenty of changes with lots of arrivals and departures so it might take time for things to settle down but when they do, they will feel they have enough quality to go one better than last season and clinch at least a play-off spot.

What's your prediction for the game?

I think this is going to be a tight affair but I’m going to go for a narrow 1-0 win for Colchester.
 

Research conducted by Rajan Hothi.